Duties
The Supervisory Community Planner:
- Directs, carries out, oversees, or conducts special studies; develops tools and informational products about TPE-20’s programs and activities; manages systems and processes for control of fiscal, human, and physical resources to ensure timely and responsive accomplishment of assigned objectives; and a variety of representations or liaison duties.
- Supervises the analyses, evaluations, and technical assistance of CIG or EPD Pilot Program project development, evaluation, and rating to project sponsors.
- Oversees the development of technical guidance, training, and other assistance for FTA Regional Offices and project sponsors reflecting best professional practices in CIG or EPD project development.
- Provides direct technical advice and oversees the advice from staff on CIG or EPD Pilot Program planning, policy, and procedures to the Regional Offices. This advice includes advance notification and consultation on new policy and procedural initiatives, and consultation on the interpretation of new or existing policies or procedures.
- Briefs FTA, the USDOT Secretary’s Office, and the Office of Management and Budget executive management and Congress on CIG or EPD Pilot Program project investments and on the status, progress, merits, or issues associated with individual projects under those programs.
- Represents the Associate Administrator (AA) and Deputy Associate Administrator (DAA) for TPE; speaks authoritatively for the AA or DAA in meetings with project sponsors, State and local governments, industry and professional associations, private organizations or academic institutions concerning CIG Program or EPD Pilot Program project development and policies, the provision of transportation service, major investment assessments, financial planning, or the objectives, programs and policies of FTA.
The ideal candidate for this position is a senior-level career professional who has technical knowledge and experience in FTA’s Capital Investment Program (CIG) or Expedited Project Development (EPD) Pilot Program, and related laws, regulations and CIG Policy Guidance. The candidate has experience managing a team of professional interdisciplinary staff. Candidates must have the skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences; organizational and management skills; and the ability to handle multiple, competing priorities, issues, and projects simultaneously. Candidates must also be skilled and confident in effectively discussion complex and sensitive materials and topics to an array of audiences, such as executive leaders, members of Congress, project sponsors and industry organizations.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen & meet specialized experience to qualify
- Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
- Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
- Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
- SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
- GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
- BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
- PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Applicants may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
- SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: New supervisors must complete a 1-year probationary period (unless already completed).
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements.
To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:
- Experience complying with and providing direction on the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program or the Expedited Project Development (EPD) Pilot Program, and related Federal laws, CIG Policy Guidance, or CIG or EPD evaluation or rating procedures for public transportation projects.
- Experience leading and managing a professional interdisciplinary team comprised of supervisors and non-supervisors in developing, implementing, and administering major capital investment projects and related undertakings, including policy-making, or guidance documents.
- Experience coordinating technical, policy, and other resources to address issues related to local agency compliance with CIG Program or EPD Pilot Program requirements (e.g., project development, engineering, construction grant agreement development or execution).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
- Leadership - Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
- Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
- Technical Credibility - Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, Federal laws, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
- Oral and Written Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
Degree: Community Planning; or related field such as urban affairs, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, sociology, geography, economics, political science, or public administration that included at least 12 semester hours in the planning process, socioeconomic and physical elements of planning, urban and regional economic analysis, and development finance.
Note: Applicants with degrees in related fields, such as those listed above, who do not have the 12 semester hours of specified course work must have had at least 1 year of work experience in community planning acquired under the supervision and guidance of a community planner. OR
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major in one of the above disciplines, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the above disciplines of which at least 12 semester hours were in the planning process, and socioeconomic and physical elements of planning, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Additional information
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
For this announcement, applications will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets the basic qualifications for this position. The applications of individuals who meet the basic qualifications will be assessed to validate that the applicant possesses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the level of proficiency needed to perform the job successfully. Applicants who are found to possess the necessary KSAs to perform the job may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
RESUME: In accordance with the OPM memorandum titled Merit Hiring Plan, dated May 29, 2025, resumes with a maximum of two (2) pages in length will be accepted as part of your application. These should be legible and in a readable font size. A determination of your eligibility and/or qualifications will be based only on those two (2) pages.
Your resume MUST contain specific information that can be used to make a qualification determination, including employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time, or average number of hours worked per week, and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education, as well as support the required specialized experience. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to
TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED as there is a stated education requirement for the series. The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements.
DISPLACED EMPLOYEES: If requesting consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency CTAP program (ICTAP), you must meet the standards for this vacancy and provide all of the following documents:
- your most recent performance appraisal,
- the proof of eligibility letter from the Agency, and
- your most current SF-50, displaying current series and grade.
Qualified CTAP/ICTAP candidates receive priority and will be referred to the hiring manager.
For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USA Jobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.